The details on your resume will ultimately decide whether you get invited for an interview or not, so it is vital that you get it right. When applying for a number of jobs, it can be tempting to send out the same resume for all, however, this is a mistake that many candidates make. Every job is different, even if the title is the same and the requirements of the role will vary, which is why you need to fine-tune your resume. Paying attention to detail will give you a better chance of being progressed to the interview. These are some of the ways you can fine-tune your resume and get on the right track to securing that dream role!
Tailor to Job
It is more time-consuming, but it is important that you tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. If you keep your resume the same for every job, you might even make errors by not relating it at all to the job, even if you have the required skills. This is particularly the case if you are applying to a range of industries. It is important that you read through the job description carefully and make sure both your cover letter and resume are relative to the job.
Use Keywords
Many recruiters don’t have the time to spend a lot of time reading through resumes, so it is important that you get to the point, quickly! Recruiters will often be sifting through hundreds of resumes every week and they will be looking for specific keywords to jump out at them. In some cases, recruiters even use software to pick out keywords from resumes. You should try to use keywords from the job description while ensuring it doesn’t look like you have just copied them into your resume.
Research Companies
You may also want to take the time to research the companies you are targeting and relate your resume to their achievements or core values. For instance, if you have similar values or have made relevant achievements, make sure you mention this on your resume. You may also want to explore this a bit more in your cover letter.
Proof Read
You should always make sure you proofread your resume before you send it off, as errors on a resume may impede your chances of getting invited for an interview. With spell and grammar checks readily available, there is no excuse for poor spelling or grammatical errors these days. If in doubt, ask a friend to cast their eyes over it. Errors suggest you are not taking your job hunting seriously, which is not something employers will find particularly encouraging.
Regular Updates
If you want to fine-tune your resume, you should also aim to make regular updates to it. If you learn any new skills or take on a new role, always make sure you update your resume. If you don’t do it regularly, you might end up forgetting all about the skills you’ve gained.